Newsletters – 2008

March 2008

Spring is just two weeks away. After all the snow and cold in Northeast Indiana, I’m grateful for sunlight and a bit of warm. I can’t wait to start the barbeque and have our meals on the patio.

IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE!

Last issue I offered those who bought Francine On Fire a free download of FRENCH Delights. Talk about being blown away. 376 members of this newsletter took me up on the offer! Thank you all for supporting me.

Next good news…

The bankruptcy court has finally returned my contracts for the Magnificent Men of Munich series. All three books are free to be sold to another publisher. Aspen Mountain Press and I have signed a new contract for Teddi Turns On, book one in the series. The release date isn’t set yet, but the reformatted book is due to them in May. They’re also reading the remaining books, Lonnie Heats Up and Isabella Ignites. The owner is very excited about them.

And there’s more!!

Eternal Press will release FRENCH Twist, book three in the Naughty Ladies of Nice series, June 7.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

A favorite tradition of Studs and mine is to have our four grands over to color eggs on Good Friday. Sometimes I wonder who the real kid is when Studs has to have his own crayon and egg holder!

We’re also planning another combined family Easter Sunday. In total we’ll have 35 for dinner. The cool thing is that everyone brings something to contribute to the festive day. The great thing is that the ages of our guests start at 1 and go up to 87. It makes for a lively afternoon and some fantastic conversations.

ON WRITING

Currently, I have four book contracts that must be completed by June 1. It’s time I set a serious schedule to fulfill the agreements. I never realized how tough it can be to write and still have a real life.

Studs is a strict taskmaster. He makes sure my daily quota is met. At the end of each day I email him my counts. So far Studs hasn’t said what the consequences are if I don’t make it, but when he frowns big time guilt floods me.

My beautiful daughter “B” is right here to edit, proofread and glare when I slack off. Young mothers have that look down solid.

I am one fortunate author to have these people care so much.

CONTEST

It’s time for another Newsletter Members Only Contest. French Tickler is the last book in the Naughty Ladies of Nice series and I haven’t a clue what it should be about. Don’t panic! With your help it’ll be a beautiful story.

The book begins in Nice, France. This is what I’d like you to consider:
Where should it end? And how should our couple get there?

June 2008

Official summer is just days away! We’re seeing equal amounts of sun and rain, but I have faith our weather will improve and the flowers will be more beautiful than ever.

IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE!

Last issue our contest was two parts to help me with the plotline for FRENCH TICKLER, book five in The Naughty Ladies of Nice series. The questions were:
Where does our couple end up?
How should they get there?

MICHELLE won with her idea to end the book in Fez, Morocco.

TEOH won with her idea of the couple traveling by tour bus.

Each lady won a download of WITCH’S BREW by Tabitha Shay.

Next good news…

FRENCH TWIST, book four in the Naughty Ladies of Nice series, released June 7 on Eternal Press.

BLURB:
Interpol agent Claudette D’Laquois is on the run. Dull Uncle Paul and his rundown chateau in Nice, France are her only safe haven…but she never planned on the delectable estate manager who is even more dangerous than the Russian mob boss who wants her dead.

Three weeks of overseeing operations at his friend’s orchard seems like the ideal vacation to CPA Don Hobbs. And so it was—until a French sex goddess pulls him into a world of drugs, intrigue, and erotic fantasy.

EXCERPT:
Claudette snuggled close to Donald, loving the warmth of his strong body.

“You okay, baby?” He stroked her shoulder, wrapping her tight with his other arm.

“Oui.” She spoke into the damp column of his throat, inhaling his musky scent, and sighed. “I do not remember ever feeling so happy.”

His deep laugh sounded in her ear while his hand traveled down her arm to her hip, setting off sparks in its path.

“Nice skin.” He cuddled her closer, her breasts pressed tight against his solid chest, the crisp hairs tickling her skin.

She smiled at the sleepy sound of his voice and moved her leg over his.

He fingered the puckered flesh on her thigh. “What’s this?”

“Nothing. Just an old injury.” How could she possibly explain to him how a second rate drug dealer went crazy one night during a raid or the fear that froze her heart?

RED ROSES FOR AUTHORS REVIEWS said:
No one does short, sexy books better than Sloane Taylor! She combines sensual romance with mystery and intrigue and comes up smelling of roses. Sweet and sassy. Five red roses, Morna.

And there’s more!!!

Aspen Mountain Press will release TEDDI TURNS ON, another book in the Magnificent Men of Munich series, June 20.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

Over the last three years our garden has become a battle of woman against thistle. Unfortunately, the thistle won.

It was like a Little Shop of Horrors out there. Every known weed killer and even straight vinegar had no effect.

Studs decided the only solution was to dig out everything then lay patio block. Talk about back breaking. Two square yards of dumped dirt later, I’m convinced we should have hired a contractor while Studs is positive we can do the job. Dreamer.

One good thing out of all this is a new knowledge we can work together and not kill each other!

ON WRITING

Now that I’ve almost fulfilled my previous contracts, it’s time to plan for the future.

Last Christmas we held our annual feast and celebrated Scandinavia. Since then a new series idea has been buzzing in my brain.

In my spare time I’ve been doing light research on Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Interesting countries that I haven’t visited in way too long. Time for a road trip!

September has been slated to write the proposals then send to my publishers. Keep your fingers crossed.

If anyone has any suggestions, or first hand information they’d like to share, please email me, sloanetaylor@comcast.net. I sure would be grateful.

CONTEST

It’s time for another Newsletter Members Only Contest. The Naughty Ladies of Nice is a five book series. What are the five titles in their release order?

Please email your entries to sloanetaylor@comcast.net on or before July 30. Please type SERIES in the subject line.

The prize is a free download of MICHAEL’S KEEPER. It’s a superb book by new author Melissa Bradley. Check out Melissa at Myspace.

SPEAKING OF CONTESTS…
On my June 7 blog, is a fun contest to celebrate the release of FRENCH TWIST. The prize is a $25.00 gift certificate for Bath & Body Works along with a goodie bag. Give it a whirl.

IMPORTANT DATES

Please join me at any or all of the following events. There’s always lively conversation, easy contests, and freebies.

September 2008

Studs is definitely in the mood for fall. He’s been digging through our recipes for his favorite chili and pot roast instructions. Next thing I know he’ll be begging you all for your special fall meals. Actually, that sounds like a great idea. He’s nodding and grinning and has that far away look in his eye where food is concerned. So please help out a hungry guy and send your favorite recipe to sloanetaylor@comcast.net with Studs in the subject line. I promise he’ll personally answer every email.

IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE!

Last issue our contest was to list the five titles from The Naughty Ladies of Nice series in release order. The answer was:FRENCH TARTFRENCH DELIGHTSFRENCH TWISTFRENCH KISSFRENCH TICKLER

TERESA won a download of MICHAEL’S KEEPER by Melissa Bradley.

Next good news…

FRENCH KISS, book four in the Naughty Ladies of Nice series, will release October 7 on Eternal Press.

BLURB:

Straight-laced children’s author, Rachel Conklin, awakens on a deserted island wrapped in the arms of a sexy pirate. Convinced she’s in a dream conjured from the pages of her breakout novel, Rachel casts her inhibitions to the wind and seduces the handsome sailor. Rides the waves of passion.

Pediatrician Henri Bernier wasn’t quite sure what to do with the sexy mermaid he’d pulled from the sea. Then she started kissing him and sent his libido soaring. Now the good doctor is ready for anything.

EXCERPT:

Warm tingles started in her belly, pooling low in her abdomen, a sensation she’d long missed. His lips were strong, supple, working her own apart. She glided her tongue along the seam of his mouth, loving the salty taste and the rasp of his beard on her bruised face. Moisture filled her panties, making her alive and wanting more. She laced an arm around the broad shoulders leaning over her, curling her fingers in his long, silky hair.

“You okay, baby?” He stroked her shoulder, wrapping her tight with his other arm.

Her nipples puckered more with each stroke as he glided his hand along her spine, continuing lower over the curve of her ass to her thigh. Wet sand greeted her when he smoothly rolled them over. Her legs parted, welcoming her secret pirate. Nope, make that swashbuckler. More romantic.

Shivers raced through her and he held her closer. His body heat, a beautiful thing, shrouded them. Her breasts grew heavier, straining against her shirt, with his solid erection pressing into her. She wiggled closer, needing to feel him inside her.

Indistinguishable sounds filled her ears, forgotten lyrics from an old, sweet love song. She wanted to remember, but not enough to give up her fantasy man and the erotic glow of mystery sex.

And there’s more!!!

Aspen Mountain Press will release PHOTO OP! a stand alone, highly sexual novel October 17. November 28 LONNIE HEATS UP, another book in the Magnificent Men of Munich series, will make its appearance through Aspen Mountain Press. There aren’t blurbs available yet because neither book has been edited.

Eternal Press will release FRENCH TICKLER, book five in the Naughty Ladies of Nice series January 7, 2009.

This year has been fantastic for me and I am truly grateful.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

It’s time for some blatant bragging, so I hope you’re ready. After two years of hard work and juggling a horrendous schedule, my daughter has achieved her teaching certification and is now fulltime at a Montessori school here in Indiana. She was determined to achieve her goal and let nothing stop her. I’m so proud of B.

And, to further prove this year has been great, my oldest granddaughter, 11 years old, tried out for the Joffrey Ballet to perform in The Nutcracker. 177 children were at the cold call. From them 29 were selected to dance at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago December 18 – 28. And our Kid was one of those fortunate chosen. The sheer joy on her face when she shared the outcome was and is worth everything to me.

And in case you’re wondering – the patio garden came out perfect. Studs did a great job along with help from our kids.

ON WRITING

My critique partners are hounding me to get my lazy self in gear and enter the Amber Quill Press contest in January with a super sexy romp placed in Prague. First prize is a two year contract which is the only way Amber Quill takes on new writers. I’m toying with the idea. Ouch! That was Beth Anderson’s infamous 2×4 that she uses to stop my procrastination. Beth’s an excellent writer, but a hard task master.

I’ve started a new novel. No romance, no sex. It’s a hard core murder mystery that came to me while relaxing one Sunday afternoon. Eight pages later I realized I was in love and anxious to develop this new idea. Once my other work is completed, I’ll continue on the project just to see if I have the ability to write an intriguing mystery. Wish me luck!

CONTEST

It’s time for another Newsletter Members Only Contest. The new series I’m working on takes place in the five Scandinavian countries. What I’d like you to do is help with first names for the five heroes and heroines. There are two North American heroes and three Scandinavian. The heroines are three North American and three Scandinavian.

There will be four prizes! Winners have a choice of a free download of RISE OF THE WOLF by debut author Kat Duarte or TOO HOT TO HANDLE by the best selling author Linda Sole.

Kat Duarte has written a definite page turner. Check out Kat on her website, or on her MySpace.

To date Linda Sole has written 81 books and still going strong with frequent releases. You can read all about her at her website or on her MySpace.

SPEAKING OF CONTESTS…

I’m lucky to be a well traveled author who couldn’t live without a tote dangling my shoulder. We have such a bag, sporting the beautiful TEDDI TURNS ON cover, for you to win in an easy contest. Second and Third Prize winners get a great Goodie Bag.

This contest runs September 7 until October 6. Winners will be announced October 7!

To play, go to http://www.sloanetaylor.com. Under the FUN STUFF section click on CONTEST for the questions, but to make it even easier here they are:
1. What does Sloane Taylor’s disclaimer read?
2. What is the heroine’s name in TEDDI TURNS ON?
3. Who are Sloane Taylor’s publishers?
4. What is the featured recipe for August 2008?
5. What is Sloane Taylor’s first Travel tip?

December 2008

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYONE! I’m happy to report I have all the cards sent and most of my shopping done, which is pretty amazing for me.

IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE!

Last issue our contest was to offer names for North American and Scandinavian heroes and heroines. The prizes were downloads of RISE OF THE WOLF by Kat Duarte and TOO HOT TO HANDLE by Linda Sole. There were six winners:

CYNTHYA with Karita and RurikDENA with Kate and JakeJANE with Marny and LarsMICHELLE with Sanna and BjornTAMSYN with Molly and DenverVAL with Emma and Disa

Next good news…

TEDDI TURNS ON is an erotica finalist in the 2009 EPPIE Awards. This is the Oscars for e-books and a huge honor to be a finalist. There are three contenders in my category with the winner to be announced March 7, 2009 at the convention in Las Vegas.

Red Roses for Authors, a marvelous review site in England, chose FRENCH TWIST to receive their Annual Christmas Award in the Short Category. This is another fantastic sign of recognition for authors.

And there’s more!!!

Eternal Press will release FRENCH TICKLER, book five in the Naughty Ladies of Nice series January 7, 2009.

Blurb:

Lingerie designer Samantha Bradley is on the brink of major success. While having the time of her life in Nice she meets sexy Cisco Bernier, a man who turns her heart inside out and makes her body sizzle.

Despite being France’s key criminal prosecutor, Cisco’s success in relationships has been less than zero. When he meets Sam, his staid world goes up in flames.

Their happiness is short lived as their pasts collide. His underhanded mother and her mob-connected father resurface to threaten their future.

Excerpt:

“Do you not think her nipples are larger?” Cisco pointed to the charcoal nude on the young woman’s sketch pad. He looked across the coastline toward the subject in question as the middle-aged woman stooped and spread a towel across the pebbles.

“Perhaps, but it’s really hard to tell at this angle.” The artist swiped a thumb along a black line, softening the bold stroke, and laughed. “Besides, she won’t sit still long enough to get it right.”

She tossed her long black hair across her bare shoulders, and a light scent of honey drifted up to him, clouding his mind.

Cisco yanked his tie from around his neck, grateful for the light breeze off the Mediterranean that cooled his hot skin.

“Maybe if you…” He slipped the thin stick from her long fingers, then squiggled a larger, more intricate circle on the wheat colored paper. “Something like that.”

“Are you an artist?” She glanced up. Her large green eyes reminded him of polished emerald, sharp and clear, and just as exciting. At that moment he would be anything the beautiful American wanted him to be.

This year has been fantastic for me and I am truly grateful.

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

Stud is a live Christmas tree person, I am not. Two weeks ago he arrived home, with this kid’s grin a mile wide pasted across his cute face, proud as could be that he bought us a tree. I on the other hand wanted to stab a pitchfork in my back. It’s not that I’m a Grinch, it’s because I’m allergic to tree sap.

After dragging on my winter coat and gloves, a sight to behold, we proceeded to decorate. Studs is a sports person and has every possible ornament for each of them. I’m a gold, mauve, and cutesy type with enough little dolls and angels to choke Santa. He loves tinsel, I like bows. Are you getting a visual here? 🙂 Let’s just say there isn’t another Christmas tree in the world that looks like ours. LOL.

ON WRITING

I’ve been so lazy, she types hanging her head in shame, with no decent excuse to offer. My New Year’s resolution will be to kill the procrastinator in me on January 1 and delete every game on my computer. Definitely.

It’s important I finish my Prague story, get the Scandinavian series in tow, and complete the last book in the Magnificent Men of Munich series before my wonderful publishers come gunning for me.

CONTEST

It’s time for another Newsletter Members Only Contest. To celebrate this festive holiday season I’ve decided to do a really easy contest with 8 winners. The winners get to select the book of their choice from my releases.

All you need to do is email me at sloanetaylor@comcast.net on or before January 15, 2009. Type HOLIDAYS in the subject line and the title you’d like in the body of your email. Told you it was easy!

IMPORTANT DATES

Please join me at any or all of the following events. There’s always lively conversation, easy contests, and freebies.